LABORATORY SAFETY GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY Important to understand

LABORATORY SAFETY

GENERAL LABORATORY SAFETY • Important to understand how to appropriately work in a lab • What if there is an accident? • What if there is a spill? • How do I know if the equipment or reagents that I am using could be potentially harmful? 2 • Accident/Injury Reports • Appropriate Lab Clothing • Electrical Hazards • Hazard Reviews • Lab Safety Inspection Checklist • Machine Hazards • Minors in Labs • Responsibilities • Security • Sharps Safety • Signs & Labels • Training Requirements

ABE SAFETY • All chemicals are covered under SDS (formally MSDS) • Microorganisms adhere to biosafety levels and policies for handling – Working with E. coli – Non-pathogenic strain – No potential safety issues if handled and disposed of properly 3

SAFETY AND DATA SHEET • Safety and Data Sheet (SDS) • Provides workers, personnel, students with information on safety procedures when handling and working with substances in a laboratory setting • Provides physical data (melting point, boiling point, flash point, etc. ), toxicity, health effects, first aid, reactivity, storage, disposal, protective equipment, and spill-handling procedures 4

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ABE SAFETY DOCUMENTS • Safety travel drive – Will go with each kit – Important to relay to students when certain portions of the lab require special attention 6

GLOBALLY HARMONIZED SYSTEM • A system for standardizing and harmonizing the classification and labeling of chemicals • Defines health, physical and environmental hazards of chemicals • Communicates hazard information, as well as protective measures, on labels and Safety Data Sheets (SDS). 7

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BIOSAFETY LEVELS • Biosafety levels – Levels are designated in ascending order, by degree of protection provided to personnel, the environment, and the community – Standard microbiological practices are common to all laboratories – Special microbiological practices enhance worker safety, environmental protection, and address the risk of handling agents requiring increasing levels of containment – BSL – 1 -4 • ABE = BSL – 1 http: //www. cdc. gov/biosafety/publications/bmbl 5/BMBL 5_sect_IV. pdf 10

BSL - 1 • Suitable for work involving well-characterized agents not known to consistently cause disease in immunocompetent adult humans • Present minimal potential hazard to laboratory personnel and the environment • Not necessarily separated from the general traffic patterns in the building • Work is typically conducted on open bench tops using standard microbiological practices • Special containment equipment or facility design is not required, but may be used as determined by appropriate risk assessment • Laboratory personnel must have specific training in the procedures conducted in the laboratory and must be supervised by a scientist with training in microbiology or a related science cdc. gov/biosafety 11

cdc. gov/biosafety 12

REVIEW WITH STUDENTS • Treat all microorganisms as if they were pathogenic. • When handling microfuge tubes, pipette tips, cell spreaders, and Petri plates, avoid spills and any unnecessary contact. Inform the teacher if a spill occurs. • Place all equipment that comes into contact with bacteria in a well-labeled biohazard bag. • Do not put liquid waste in the biohazard bag. Pour liquid waste into a specially designated container. • Wash hands with a disinfectant soap before and after working with microorganisms. Non-disinfectant soap will remove surface bacteria and can be used if disinfectant soap is not available. Gloves may be worn as extra protection. • Do not eat or drink in the lab, or store food or drinks in the lab. • Cover any cuts on hands with a bandage. Gloves may be worn as extra protection. • Be sure that all cultures, chemicals, disinfectants, and media are clearly labeled with names and dates. If they are hazardous, include proper hazard information. • Know the location of the nearest eyewash station and sink. 13

YOU AS AN INSTRUCTOR • Return the biohazard bag with the kit to be autoclaved and reused. • Clean up spills immediately, using caution. Soak the spill with a 10% bleach solution and cover with paper towels. After allowing the spill to soak in the bleach for two minutes, carefully clean up and place the materials in the biohazard bag. Wash the area again with disinfectant. • Use a 10% bleach solution to disinfect all benches and work areas before and after working with microorganisms. • If there are glass fragments, use a specially designated brush and dustpan to sweep them up. Place the fragments in a 10% bleach solution, then drain and dispose of them, according to local regulations. • Sterilize the liquid waste by adding 10% bleach solution and then pouring it down the drain. • Wear chemical-resistant goggles and aprons at all times, and be cautious when handling the bleach solution. Know the location of the nearest eyewash station and sink. • Note: Do not let students handle the bleach solution. 14

REFERENCES • American Biological Safety Association – https: //my. absa. org/tiki-index. php • Center for Disease Control – www. cdc. gov • Lab Manager – www. labmanager. com • Occupational Safety & Health Association – www. osha. gov 15